Charles Taylor trial weekly summaries (August 10 - 14, 2009)
By Joseph Cheeseman and Adolphus Williams reporting from The Hague
August 10, 2009
On January 6 1999, The Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels and their allies, the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) invaded the Sierra Leonean capital, Freetown, and left behind hundreds of civilians dead or amputated. The international community led by the United States and Great Britain pointed accusing fingers at Former Liberian President, Charles Taylor. Mr. Taylor said the two nations have no evidence, and that his trial is a punishment. Mr. Taylor agreed with the UN in 1999 that Liberia was a source of mercenaries. Joseph Cheeseman reports.
Click here to listen to Joseph Cheeseman’s report (August 10, 2009)
August 11, 2009
At his war crimes trial in The Hague, Former Liberian President Charles Taylor gave a chronology of steps taken by his government to restore peace to war-torn Sierra Leone: he expelled RUL Collaborators from Liberia and convinced the rebels to observe a cease-fire. Mr Taylor disclaimed any responsibility for the onslaught on the Sierra Leonean Capital, Freetown which killed thousands on January 6, 1999. Joseph Cheeseman reports from The Hague.
Click here to listen to Joseph Cheeseman’s report (August 11, 2009)